unique eats

When the Cooking Channel launched a couple of months ago, we were rather critical of lineup, but since then, a handful of shows have not only proven to be the best on the network, but might be our favorite new food programs, period.

Here's three Cooking Channel shows that you should take the time to check out:
1. 'Unique Eats.'
Kind of like 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate,' 'Unique Eats' is a terrific show about food from a foodie's point of view. In this case, specific places in a particular area are chosen for the unique fare they serve, and then the experts tell viewers why it's so special. The focus on interesting shops, bakeries, restaurants and eateries is excellent, but what makes the show so compelling is that the people going on and on about these locales are recognizable foodies from other networks and channels.

If you take your remote control and surf on over to Fine Living Network on May 31, well, it won't be there. Instead, you're going to see The Cooking Channel, Food Network's new channel devoted to food (of course), drinks, and travel. They've announced the lineup for the network's debut, and while some of the shows seem like something we could see on the parent network, there's enough quirky new stuff to grab your attention.

Some are using the word "edgy" to describe the new channel too, but unless they're breaking the necks of live chickens right on television, this is still just a food channel. Oh, wait, they actually are going to break chicken necks! Alrighty.

After the jump, my picks for the four shows that look the most interesting, as well as a quick rundown on what else we're going to see on the new channel.